Dec. 5, 2016

Italian voters' emphatic rejection of constitutional changes meant to streamline government and ease efforts to revive economy, which resulted in resignation of Prime Min Matteo Renzi, prompts investors to sour on Italian banking stocks; Italian vote, combined with similar populist insurrections in Great Britain and United States, leaves basic contours of world economy uncertain. MORE

Dec. 4, 2016

Italian Prime Min Matteo Renzi announces his resignation after voters reject changes to Italy's Constitution that were intended to streamline government; event deals blow to Italian establishment and boosts anti-establishment populists across European Union, while plunging Italy into economic and political uncertainty. MORE

Nov. 30, 2016

Editorial underscores stakes in upcoming referendum in Italy, originally called by Prime Min Matteo Renzi to enact constitutional changes that would stabilize government; notes failure of referendum could lead to Renzi's resignation and could trigger banking crisis; urges Renzi to stay in government if referendum fails. MORE

Nov. 9, 2016

Editorial notes progressive ballot proposals that have passed in number of states, suggesting national shift to left by voters despite Donald Trump's victory in presidential race. MORE

Nov. 9, 2016

Voters in many states support ballot measures to improve mass transit, roads and bridges; New Jersey approves constitutional amendment that would dedicate state's gas tax revenue to transportation, and Los Angeles County passes measure expanding Expo Line light rail to relieve region's heavy reliance on cars. MORE

Nov. 9, 2016

Voters in San Diego County, Calif, reject referendum that would have helped pay for new stadium for San Diego Chargers; team does have option to build new stadium on their own, or they could look elsewhere. MORE

Nov. 7, 2016

Coalition of Australian senators from Greens, Labor Party and smaller political parties blocks proposition to hold national plebiscite on legalizing gay marriage; parties support legalization but fear plebiscite could become platform for hate speech. MORE

Nov. 6, 2016

California will vote on Proposition 56, state ballot measure that will raise taxes on tobacco products, including for first time electronic cigarettes; is following lead of other states that are enacting e-cigarette taxes to make up for declining tax revenue from regular cigarettes; R J Reynolds Tobacco and Philip Morris have spent over $70 million collectively in campaign to urge California voters to reject tax. MORE

Nov. 6, 2016

The Upshot; soda tax ballot measures in San Francisco and in Oakland, Calif, have drawn more political spending than Senate race in state and statewide referendums on gun control and legalization of marijuana combined. MORE

Nov. 5, 2016

Massachusetts ballot proposal on whether to expand charter schools fuels contentious campaigning from both sides of debate; experts expect decision by voters in state seen as trendsetter on education policy to have national effects. MORE

Nov. 4, 2016

Voters across Silicon Valley have opportunity to vote on range of initiatives meant to curb rampant development and growth in area. MORE

Nov. 2, 2016

American coal industry executives are closely watching Washington State ballot proposal to tax carbon emissions, first of its kind in nation; major coal producers are already under pressure from Obama administration's anti-climate change regulations, and have faced repeated rejection of plans to use region as hub for coal exports to Asia. MORE

Oct. 27, 2016

Opponents warn measure on Florida ballot that purports to promote solar energy there would in fact harm alternative energy by allowing utilities to raise fees on solar customers; measure has support of utilities and business alliances. MORE

Oct. 26, 2016

Editorial accuses Venezuelan judges and election officials loyal to Pres Nicolas Maduro of quashing planned referendum on his ouster; calls on regional and international powers to support political opposition and condemn leader; asserts Maduro will be to blame if Venezuela's developing humanitarian crisis worsens. MORE

Oct. 26, 2016

Several hot-button issues set to appear on state ballots in November highlighted, including minimum wage, gun control, health insurance and death penalty. MORE

Oct. 24, 2016

Residents in California, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada and Arizona will vote on whether to legalize recreational use of cannabis on Election Day; polls show ballot initiatives in California, Massachusetts, Maine and Arizona are likely to pass, whereas polls in Nevada show voters evenly split on issue; experts say California's result will likely matter most, due to size of its economy. MORE

Oct. 21, 2016

Venezuela's opposition party urges citizens to protest after country's electoral commission suspends push for referendum to remove Pres Nicolas Maduro from power. MORE

Oct. 19, 2016

Editorial asserts ballot proposals in nine states that would allow recreational or medical marijuana use should spur federal government to reform its drug policy; cites data suggesting marijuana poses relatively small threat and does not justify social and economic costs of enforcing current drug laws. MORE

Oct. 17, 2016

California voters have opportunity to vote in November election to overturn 1998 law that severely restricted bilingual education in state's public schools; ballot initiative is latest test of whether state residents' attitude toward immigrants has significantly altered in past two decades. MORE

Oct. 13, 2016

Spanish energy developer Iberdrola Renewables offers to pay $14.1 million over 25 years to 815 individual registered voters of Windham and Grafton in Vermont to approve construction of wind farm in private forest spanning two towns; opponents say proposed clean-energy project on state's ridgelines will raise flood risks, lower property values and destroy views; vote for project and gubernatorial election is slated for same day in November. MORE

Oct. 5, 2016

Amanda Taub and Max Fisher The Interpreter column notes that series of volatile referendum votes around globe illustrate why many political scientists consider referendums messy and dangerous; points to studies showing referendum votes often subvert democracy rather than serve it. MORE

Oct. 5, 2016

Op-Ed article by journalist Jaime Abello Banfi explains how Colombian voters' rejection of peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was in part due to relentless opposition by former Pres Alvaro Uribe; notes while future peace negotiations for peace will be challenging, end to war is still possible if Uribe agrees to work with Pres Juan Manuel Santos and FARC. MORE

Oct. 4, 2016

Colombian leaders are left wondering why citizens voted down peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, despite polls that had previously shown wide margin of victory for deal in referendum; many citizens saw deal as too lenient on rebels, particularly in wake of successful military operations against rebel group. MORE

Oct. 4, 2016

Brazil renounces leftist party in municipal elections and Colombia rejects peace deal with FARC, in latest shift sweeping Latin American countries as they align themselves with right-wing politics, signalling rise of conservationism in region. MORE

Oct. 4, 2016

Editorial discusses reasons proposed peace deal between Colombian government and FARC militants was defeated in referendum; urges country to reach new compromise to preserve truce and eventually end war. MORE

Oct. 2, 2016

Many Colombians express doubt and resentment over peace deal reached between government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in lead up to referendum over agreement; some claim deal with rebels is blasphemy, even as others look forward to ending 52 years of armed conflict; polls indicate peace deal will easily win approval in upcoming vote. MORE

Sep. 26, 2016

Bosnian Serbs vote overwhelmingly in referendum to keep national Statehood Day holiday, despite ruling by Bosnia's highest court that holiday is illegal; Serb Republic Pres Milorad Dodik has been accused of using referendum to set stage for secession vote. MORE

Sep. 21, 2016

California voters headed for polls in November will tackle death penalty, highly contentious issue in state that has more prisoners on death row than any other at annual cost of some $150 million; voters will choose between Proposition 62, which would abolish death penalty and replace it with life without parole, and Proposition 66, which would accelerate appeals process for death row prisoners, clearing way for faster rate of executions. MORE

Sep. 20, 2016

Colombian Pres Juan Manuel Santos discusses challenges facing nation ahead of referendum on peace deal between government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, agreement that would effectively end civil war that has wracked country for more than 50 years. MORE

Sep. 9, 2016

Oregon voters are split over ballot measure that would sharply raise corporate taxes to 2.5 percent, bringing in about $3 billion annually; measure poses question on whether government can be trusted to use money to benefit society. MORE

Aug. 27, 2016

News Analysis; Great Britain's vote to leave European Union has increased Scotland's sense of alienation and support there for second referendum on Scottish independence; many Scots, however, remain cautious, fearing to hold second vote in time of many uncertainties. MORE

Aug. 15, 2016

Editorial warns putting off referendum to oust Venezuelan Pres Nicolas Maduro would allow country's corrupt ruling class to remain in power until at least 2019; calls on international leaders to aid opposition in wresting control from Maduro in way that avoids violence. MORE

Aug. 9, 2016

Aug. 9, 2016

Environmental activists in Colorado, in attempt to block expansion of oil industry, submit sufficient signatures to put on ballot two initiatives to limit hydraulic fracturing; challenges indicate close battle is ahead. MORE

Aug. 5, 2016

Thailand's ruling junta plans national referendum on new constitution it asserts is necessary to reestablish democracy, but which critics see as bid by military to consolidate its power; authorities have suppressed opposition to proposed constitution and banned party election monitors. MORE

Jul. 28, 2016

Alabama Gov Robert Bentley calls for special session in order to hold referendum on creation of state lottery, reviving one of state's most hotly contested issues. MORE

Jul. 12, 2016

Op-Ed article by Sinn Fein Pres Gerry Adams holds British exit from European Union will undermine progress made by Good Friday Agreement and hurt people of Northern Ireland, who voted against move; calls on British and Irish governments to honor terms of agreement and hold referendums on Irish unity, which could favor reunification if choice includes EU membership. MORE

December 5, 2016, Monday

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Colombia’s Congress approved a deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, on Wednesday, a triumph in ratifying the peace agreement, an earlier version of which was rejected in a referendum.